I am totally lost...

[cartoons]

Hello everybody,

 

 

I will appreciate your advice for the following-

 

 

I am an animator and I am willing to open an e-commerce web-site that provides "stock" images and videos for people to buy (and be able to download the videos and images on the spot or via E-mail)

 

 

I am a complete novice to web-sites operation and just purchased a web-site hosting and domain and installed oscommerce.

 

 

I tried to play with the oscommerce settings, but got very confused.

:'(

 

I really tried to search the web for beginners explanation, but got even more confused.

 

 

Some of my goals-

 

 

1. To change the background and logo to my own graphics, as well as more general flexibility concerning using my own images/animations around the screen and around the different pages of the web-site(I tried using the "change logo" option, using a PNG image, without any success)

 

 

2. To simplify things, so only a PayPal checkout is available, at least at the beginning (thus, avoiding credit cards frauds etc')

 

 

3. To add a preview option for the videos/images(with a watermark or other copyright protection), so people can view the images and the "full

 

length" (very short) videos before purchasing.

 

 

4. To add a show-reel video of my animation studio (I do not know about the options possible- streaming? others? how do I do that)

 

 

5. To add legal agreement for the customers before purchasing.

 

 

6. Safe purchasing and safe web-site, in general.

 

 

7. In general- simpler adjusting tools for such a novice like me.

 

 

 

As I am so confused with everything, I tried looking for external help and found people who sell scripts, skins, software and templates, but I was not sure what is best suited to my situation- Is it a skin? a script? a template?... I do not even know what is the specific difference between them and what might be better for my goals.

 

 

Also, the range of prices is huge, and as I only begin my e-commerce journey, I try to spend the money as wisely as I can (I can not afford products that are too pricey at this period of time, but I need something stable and even professional if possible)

 

 

I will be very thankful for any advice that might provide the simplest solution to the above-

 

 

1. Would It be better to do it own my own, using explanations and tutorials?(and how to solve the specific issues mentioned?)

 

 

2. would it be better to use an already built script(or whatever) that is good for a "stock" images and videos on-line store specifically? (if you have any ideas about a place where I can purchase such, in a reasonable price, please let me know)- I begin to think that this option might be better(please correct me if I am wrong), as it might include more parameters and issues that I do not even think about (concerning providing a digital goods, "stock" images/videos, web-site)

 

 

3. Any other solution?

 

 

Thank you, in advanced, for any help or advice.

 

 

Kind regards.

 

 

I.

[♥toyicebear]

Have a look at the osc knowledge base here>>

 

You can look through the add-ons section here>> , to see what add-on modules might be suitable for your needs.

 

Click on Basics for osc 2.3+ design in my signature for some general info on design changes.

 

osCommerce can be modified almost indefinitely to suit different needs, if you find it to difficult to do it yourself you can hire someone to do it for you.

[NodsDorf]

1. To change the background and logo to my own graphics, as well as more general flexibility concerning using my own images/animations around the screen and around the different pages of the web-site(I tried using the "change logo" option, using a PNG image, without any success)

 

Here is a help thread for 2.3.1 oscommerce.

Here is help skinning the 2.3.1 site with themeroller

 

 

2. To simplify things, so only a PayPal checkout is available, at least at the beginning (thus, avoiding credit cards frauds etc')

You should already have PayPal loaded. admin>modules>payment to set it up

I will point out, PayPal is no safer then a regular credit card processor, and in my opinion probably less safe for digital content. Granted I doubt people are going to scam a graphic.

 

 

3. To add a preview option for the videos/images(with a watermark or other copyright protection), so people can view the images and the "full

 

length" (very short) videos before purchasing.

Your going to have to look through image add-on section to find something that works for you. Either way the only way to protect your images is to watermark them in a way that makes them un-desirable to steal.

 

 

4. To add a show-reel video of my animation studio (I do not know about the options possible- streaming? others? how do I do that)

I know there are video / youtube add ons in the add-on section. I can't recommend one since never had to use them.

 

 

5. To add legal agreement for the customers before purchasing.

You could modify this add-on Must Agree To Terms to do this.

 

 

6. Safe purchasing and safe web-site, in general.

How to Secure Your Website

Fraud Help

 

 

7. In general- simpler adjusting tools for such a novice like me.

No advice here, have to learn the software....

 

 

 

As I am so confused with everything, I tried looking for external help and found people who sell scripts, skins, software and templates, but I was not sure what is best suited to my situation- Is it a skin? a script? a template?... I do not even know what is the specific difference between them and what might be better for my goals.

Most templates are so heavily modified it becomes a nightmare to do any other modifications to the shop. If you can avoid it, use the tools to design the site yourself. See question 1.

 

 

 

Also, the range of prices is huge, and as I only begin my e-commerce journey, I try to spend the money as wisely as I can (I can not afford products that are too pricey at this period of time, but I need something stable and even professional if possible)

 

 

I will be very thankful for any advice that might provide the simplest solution to the above-

 

 

1. Would It be better to do it own my own, using explanations and tutorials?(and how to solve the specific issues mentioned?)

-answered

 

 

2. would it be better to use an already built script(or whatever) that is good for a "stock" images and videos on-line store specifically? (if you have any ideas about a place where I can purchase such, in a reasonable price, please let me know)- I begin to think that this option might be better(please correct me if I am wrong), as it might include more parameters and issues that I do not even think about (concerning providing a digital goods, "stock" images/videos, web-site)

Many Images, Video, Javascript Add-ons are available free, in the add-on section.

 

 

3. Any other solution?

No easy way to start. Pretty much have 2 options, pay somebody to build the site, or learn to do it yourself. In most cases people can't afford programmers when starting out, or have such a small budget that they can't get everything they want. That said if you have a good product, sometimes a crappy website will do, but you're selling graphics, so people are going to expect a very crisp website. That is a tough issue. You may find people willing to trade services if you're a graphic artist (I know that stuff isn't cheap to make either), a good programmer and a graphic artist can oft work together for mutual benefit.

 

In the end the best advice I can give if you really want to use oscommerce is to start working on each problem individually. If you hit a wall, ask about that specific issue here on the forum, somebody will likely give advice, or offer solutions. Once that is squared away move to the next feature.

 

Hope that helps,

Don

[cartoons]

Thank you so much for the info and great effort you put in helping me.

 

The advice is wonderful :D

 

 

Kind regards,

 

I.